Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

[Frickin' SPOILERS.]

Gonna hafta side with this film's champions here -- I have no idea what its detractors are going on about with their accusations of condescencion. The thing might be that the characters here are genuine geeks and nerds -- not the pretty-girl-with-glasses kind that Hollywood likes, but actual unpopular, poorly socialized and occasionally repulsive people. Apparently some people take issue with using these types of people as comedy fodder, not noticing that the film invites us to share in their gradual triumphs and small victories as well as their ritual humiliations. If anything, this is one of the most big-hearted and generous films of the year. Hollywood fake-geek films put forth the idea that happiness comes through social acceptance for 'who you are'; this film says that no, we all make our own happiness whether or not everyone likes us. This theme reaches its finest expression during Napoleon's climactic dance -- here he is, he's doing his thing, he's telling the world "Fuck you all, this is me and this is what I like to do and you can suck on it if you don't like it." That it does result in a measure of social acceptance (standing ovation, presidential win for his friend Pedro) is of no consequence, since he's still alone with his tetherball at the end (until Deb finally offers him someone to play with). The point is, he found his triumph.

Oh yeah, beyond that, the film's also jus' plain hilarious. The dialogue is filled with lines that shouldn't work but just kill in context. And the places the plot goes are priceless. (Kip's "Peace out" scene is worth the rental all by itself.)

Grade: A-